Cuttack: The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Orissa in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha, and UNICEF, organised a State Level Juvenile Justice Consultation on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India” today at Odisha Judicial Academy, Cuttack.
Inaugurating the consultation, Hon’ble the Chief Justice Shri Harish Tandon in his address emphasized the importance of strong institutional mechanisms and community-based efforts to protect girls from violence, child marriage, and exploitation. His Lordship shared his personal experiences and analysed various provisions of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. His Lordship was hopeful that discussions during technical sessions would bring out some ideas or solutions which would help in safeguarding the girl child and bring them towards a safer and enabling environment.
In the inaugural session Miss Justice Savitri Ratho, Judge and Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Orissa, delivering the welcome address, highlighted the objective of the consultation and discussed about Women’s empowerment in historical times which is a story of both reverence and resistance. Setting the context of the consultation she said that safeguarding the girl child is not a just a responsibility; it’s a promise to our future and an obligation. When a girl is safe, empowered, and truly free, the world knows real progress. We must stand united to uphold her rights as a fundamental duty, ensuring her access to education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.
Hon’ble Justice A. K. Mohapatra, Editor in chief of the Newsletter and member, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Orissa, delivered a brief introduction of the Newsletter Sishu Surakhya which was started in the year 2017.
Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Harish Tandon unveiled the 2025 edition of Sishu Surakhya, the newsletter of the Juvenile Justice Committee.
Monisha Benerjee, Director, Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of Odisha, highlighted the urgency of the issue Safeguarding the girl child is not just a developmental agenda; it’s a matter of justice, dignity, and the kind of society we want to build. Every statistic of child marriage, school dropouts, and trafficking shows a system that devalues the girl child, making her future negotiable and her identity expendable. This is a harsh reminder of the unfinished work we all face. Safeguarding every child is our duty; it’s about saving not only the child but also our institutions, our frameworks, and our society.
Speaking on the occasion, William Hanlon, Jr., Chief of the Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, said, Violence against children is not just a breach of fundamental human rights but a pressing public health crisis that leaves a lasting impact on the lives of children and society at large.
Hanlon Jr. also emphasized the need to take a collaborative approach, stating, “Ending violence against girls and all children is not just necessary; it is possible. By strengthening our laws, raising awareness, and fostering strong collaboration across all sectors—from government to civil society—we can create a future where every child is safe, valued, and able to thrive.”
The consultation brought together Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Orissa, Senior Government officials, Judicial officers, law enforcement authorities, child rights experts, and representatives from various departments to reflect on progress, challenges, and the way forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of the girl child in Odisha.
Officials from the Departments of Women & Child Development, School & Mass Education, Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and Odisha Police shared departmental initiatives and committed to stronger coordination for child protection.
Hon’ble Justice M.S. Raman, Judge and member Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Orissa proposed the vote of thanks.
The consultation concluded with a call for collective action and stronger partnerships to create a safer and more enabling environment for every girl child in Odisha.
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